April 26, 2024

Boy, 3, born missing part of his brain, baffles doctors

Mumbai

Boy defies all expectations

brain
A three-year-old boy without a cerebellum has stunned doctors by learning to walk. Chase Britton, 3, born prematurely and legally blind, is missing the part of his brain that controls emotions, motor skills, and balance. He also has no pons, the part of the brain that regulates basic functions such as eating and sleeping. Chase has forced experts to rethink how the brain functions.

Dr Adre du Plessis, of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, commented: “There are some very bright, specialised people across the country and in Europe that have put their minds to this dilemma and are continuing to do so, and we haven’t come up with an answer.” The boy is challenging “fundamental principles”. He was able to learn to sit up, despite his balance problems, and then crawl. He is now learning to walk with the assistance of a frame. He has started at a special pre-school near his home in New York, although has a special “sensory room” at his home to motivate him.

Mrs Britton had a complicated pregnancy while carrying Chase and she was monitored closely. Doctors were baffled further when ultrasound images of Chase’s brain during pregnancy revealed he once had a cerebellum. “That is actually a fundamental part of the dilemma,” says Dr du Plessis. “If there was a cerebellum, what happened to it?” Only liquid is left where the cerebellum and pons should be.

Dr du Plessis said Chase was challenging “fundamental principles”. The boy was able to learn to sit up, despite his balance problems, and then crawl. He is now learning to walk with the assistance of a frame. He has started at a special pre-school near his home in New York. He has a special “sensory room” at his home to motivate him.

“Chase is extremely healthy and he’s extremely smart,” says his mother. “His motor skills just haven’t caught up yet. People could view this as a tragic story. But that depends on how you look at life. You can be angry or you can appreciate what you have been given.” ~ Daily Mail, Feb 13
 

Boy, 3, born missing part of his brain, baffles doctors
Jared Yee
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